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Topic test · A1

The preposition neben test

13questions
8minutes
60%pass mark
Start the test Read the topic first

One question at a time, the clock runs. Answers stay closed like a real exam: you see every correct answer with its explanation at the end. Score 60% to finish the topic.

Topic test

13 questions, easy to hard

Pick an option and press «Next». You can go back and change it. Anything left blank counts as wrong.

The book is lying next to the table.

Das Buch liegt neben dem Tisch. “liegen” states a location, so neben takes the Dativ (dem Tisch).

He puts the book next to the table.

Er legt das Buch neben den Tisch. “legen” is movement → Akkusativ (den Tisch).

Besides work, he also has a hobby.

Neben der Arbeit hat er ein Hobby. “neben der Arbeit” = besides work; “Arbeit” is feminine, Dativ “der Arbeit”.

We are sitting next to our friends.

Wir sitzen neben den Freunden. “sitzen” is a location → Dativ; plural Dativ “den Freunden” (-n is added).

I put the chair next to the table.

neben den Tisch. stellen is a movement verb (where to?) → Akkusativ. der Tisch becomes den Tisch in the Akkusativ.

She puts the vase next to the window.

Sie stellt die Vase neben das Fenster. “Fenster” is neuter, Akkusativ “das Fenster” (the article doesn’t change).

There is a lamp next to the bed.

Neben dem Bett. The lamp stands, it doesn’t go anywhere → location → Dativ. das Bett becomes dem Bett in the Dativ.

dem Supermarkt ist eine Apotheke.

There is a pharmacy next to the supermarket.

Two buildings side by side: neben. zwischen needs the space between two things, too much for a single neighbour.

Setz dich mich!

Sit down next to me!

Sit down next to me — the act of sitting down is directed to a spot: neben + Akkusativ (mich). If you were already sitting, it would be neben mir.

Which one is correct?

Something that lies there takes the Dativ: neben der Lampe. There is no form without an article either.

The sentence “Der Hund sitzt neben der Tisch.” is correct.

False. sitzen points to a state (wo) and requires the Dativ: neben dem Tisch.

Ich sitze neben Mann.

I am sitting next to the man.

dem. sitzen takes the Dativ, and der Mann becomes dem Mann in the Dativ.

Build the sentence: He is sitting next to me.

Tap the pieces to build the sentence

Er sitzt neben mir. Because sitzen states no movement (where?), neben takes the Dativ and the personal pronoun becomes mir.
Quick rules

The rules in three lines

The full topic lives on its own page. This is only the core you need for the test.

  1. neben = right next to

    Two cases: something that stands takes the Dativ, something that moves toward a spot takes the Akkusativ. Difference from zwischen: a single neighbour, not the space between two things.

    Das Buch liegt neben dem Tisch.

  2. Akkusativ when you put something

    Ich stelle den Stuhl neben den Tisch. — the chair is going there.

    neben den Tisch stellen

  3. Sit next to me: neben mich

    The same rule applies to people: Setz dich neben mich! (movement) · Du sitzt neben mir. (state).

    Setz dich neben mich!

  4. Figurative: besides

    Neben der Arbeit hat er ein Hobby. — in this meaning it is always the Dativ.

    neben der Arbeit

Traps

Commonly mixed up

Where a direct translation breaks. The hard questions come from here.

  • Ich stelle den Stuhl neben dem Tisch.

    Ich stelle den Stuhl neben den Tisch.

    Putting something somewhere states a direction: Akkusativ.

  • Die Lampe steht neben das Bett.

    Die Lampe steht neben dem Bett.

    Something that stands takes the Dativ.

  • Setz dich neben mir!

    Setz dich neben mich!

    The act of sitting down is directed to a spot: Akkusativ.

  • Neben die Arbeit hat er ein Hobby.

    Neben der Arbeit hat er ein Hobby.

    The meaning “besides” is always the Dativ.